Line of credit: Riders’ formidable front includes three divisional All-CFL picks
Saskatchewan Roughriders Vice-President of Football Operations and General Manager Jeremy O’Day played a key role in assembling an offensive line that is a throwback to his playing days.
For the first time since 2005 — when O’Day was the team’s starting centre — three Roughriders offensive linemen have made the divisional All-CFL team.
The latest trio consists of centre Logan Ferland, right guard Jacob Brammer and right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick.
Ferland, Brammer and Hardrick play side-by-side-by-side on the Roughriders’ offensive front, as did O’Day, right guard Andrew Greene and right tackle Gene Makowsky when they made the division’s dream team 20 years ago.
“We all see it as a group award,” Ferland said. “None of us could receive what we did without the guys beside us. That’s for the left side as well.
“It’s also about understanding that we really haven’t accomplished anything yet. It’s about a team goal.”
Foremost among the players’ thoughts is the Western Final, to be held on Nov. 8 at Mosaic Stadium. The Corey Mace-coached Roughriders, who finished first in the West, await the winner of Saturday’s semi-final between the B.C. Lions and the visiting Calgary Stampeders.
“The team comes first,” Ferland said. “These personal accolades are nice, but let’s celebrate it on top of something else after this year.”
That notion resonated with Ferland at this time last year, when he was named the West Division’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman.
In Vancouver for the CFL Awards presentations during Grey Cup Week, he lamented the fact that the entire team wasn’t there. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers represented the West in the league final for the fifth consecutive year.
Hardrick was the Blue Bombers’ right tackle when he previously earned divisional All-CFL recognition in 2017, 2021 and 2023. He made the league’s select squad in the latter two years, adding West most-outstanding-lineman laurels in 2023.
After signing with Saskatchewan as a free agent on Feb. 13, 2024, Hardrick helped the Green and White enjoy a 4-0 start before suffering a season-ending quad injury in the fifth game. The divisional nod is a fitting acknowledgment of his robust return to the lineup.
“It means a lot,” the 11th-year CFLer said. “It means I put a lot of work in. I didn’t do it alone.
“I give a lot of credit to the guys I’m playing with and the coaching staff. It’ll probably mean a lot more when I’m done.”
What meant the most to Hardrick on Wednesday? Seeing two of his cohorts being honoured.
“When Coach told us this morning and he named Brammer and Logan after me, it almost made me tear up,” Hardrick said. “I know those guys put the work in.
“We love each other and spend a lot of time together. I’m just happy those guys get some recognition. I wouldn’t get it without those guys.”
Unlike Hardrick and Ferland, Brammer is a first-time divisional pick.
After playing in five games as a rookie last year, Brammer is enjoying a breakout year with one of the league’s elite offensive lines.
“I’m very, very proud of Jacob,” Ferland said. “He has come a long way. We always knew he was a dog. It was just a matter of everyone seeing it.
“A big thing for him was staying healthy. He really has battled through a lot and he came out on top. He put a lot of work in and I’m excited to see him get what he deserves.”
Brammer is part of a five-man unit that allowed the third-fewest sacks in the league (26) and cleared holes for A.J. Ouellette, whose rushing-yardage total (1,222) was second-best in the league during the regular season.
“It’s not really just us three,” Brammer said. “It’s really the whole O-line.
“The guys who don’t play, they show up every day and they help us. They do their scouting reports every week and tell us what they’re seeing. It’s not just us three working. It’s everyone included.”
Such as left tackle Payton Collins, who last week was named the Roughriders’ Most Outstanding Rookie.
Collins (12 games), Daniel Johnson (four) and Darius Washington (two) have started at left tackle this season.
At left guard, the Roughriders have started Johnson (one), Washington (one), Zack Fry (eight), Trevon Tate (four), Philippe Gagnon (three) and Noah Zerr (one).
Ferland, who was recognized at right guard last year, started 17 games at centre this season after perennial All-CFL selection Mike McEwen — a free-agent signing in February — suffered a season-ending knee injury early in training camp.
Braydon Noll started one game at centre while Ferland was being rested after the Roughriders clinched first place in the West.
Similarly, Washington stepped in for Hardrick at right tackle for one game after top spot was secured.
Fry was the first-team right guard in Week 1, while Brammer was nursing a back injury. Brammer has subsequently made 17 successive starts.
“I never thought I’d be playing guard when I came up here,” he said. “I was told that Americans typically play tackle (in the CFL). But any spot on the field I could find, I was going to take. I just tried to take it and run with it.”
Brammer is the Roughriders’ first American-born divisional All-CFL guard since Ralph Galloway in 1977.
This year is the eighth time the Roughriders have had three or more all-star offensive linemen since 1951.
Four offensive linemen — centre Ted Urness, guards Jack Abendschan and Al Benecick, and right tackle Clyde Brock — were decorated during the Roughriders’ first championship season (1966).
Three Saskatchewan offensive linemen have been recognized in 1951, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1969, 2005 and, now, 2025.
